HUD AWARDS $3 MILLION IN MAINE TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM DANGEROUS LEAD AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS
Funding part of $139 million awarded nationwide to make low-income housing safer and healthier

Thousands of children and families in 26 states will live in healthier and safer homes because of more than $139
million in grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In Maine, $3 million was
awarded to the Maine State Housing Authority to produce 342 lead-safe housing units though the state's Housing Authority.

The Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) will serve the entire state, but will strategically target seven counties
that have been reported with the greatest prevalence rate of elevated blood levels in children less than 6 years of age. The target counties have very old housing stock, high incidents of children with elevated blood lead levels,
and very low households incomes. MSHA will provide $1,200,000 in matching and/or contributions.

Through seven grant programs, HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control promotes local efforts to eliminate dangerous lead from lower income homes; stimulates private sector investment in lead hazard control; educates the public about the dangers of lead-based paint; funds model programs that promote healthier and safer home environments; and, supports scientific research into innovative methods to identify and eliminate health
hazards in housing.

"Families need a safe and healthy home to raise their kids," said HUD Regional Director Taylor Caswell. "The funding
we announce today supports programs that protect children from a variety of health and safety hazards and represents another step toward ending childhood lead poisoning once and for all."

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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NOTE: For information on how the grantee will implement the funding, please call Dale McCormick, Director, Maine State Housing Authority (207) 626-4600. For more information on HUD's Lead Grant programs, or other HUD
programs, call Kristine Foye, (617) 994-8218.